Thom Baron has been struggling with social anxiety his entire life. He's taken the medications, gone to the therapists, followed the programs, and concluded his best life is a solitary one. When he comes across a dog in obvious need at his local market, it rekindles the desire to have some company around. It may come with a dishevelled coat, a notched ear, and a refusal to respond to anything but its given name "Ugly," but it could still be a friend.<br><br>However, Thom's new fur buddy has no such need to keep to itself and immediately befriends the man Thom has secretly coveted since he moved in -- Justin, Thom's gorgeous, bright-eyed neighbour. No matter how Thom tries to evade the man, the dog keeps drawing them back into each other's lives, and it doesn't take Thom long to recognize it's simply pursuing the demands of Thom's own heart. With the dog giving him the courage to try, Thom reaches out to return the love being offered.<br><br>Until a stranger shows up insisting the dog is his and demanding its immediate return ... a loss Thom knows will take all of his efforts and newfound confidence with it.

But by the Grace of Dog

“My dad and I used to call you the apple kid. I sat right here in this trailer and watched him work every Friday from three-thirty until he left at six. And you…every week you did this whole—“ the guard circled his arms around, as if trying to draw in the air “—this process. It was wild to watch, really. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a kid enjoy an apple quite like you did. So, there you go. Sorry I can’t help with the dog, but I won’t let a lifelong customer walk away empty-handed. It’s people like you who keep us in business.” He grinned, then chuckled. “An apple scarf for the apple kid. I love that.”


Thom frowned. “I…thank you?” It was a question because Thom had no idea what the guy’s game was. The guard had practically kicked them out when the three of them had been there before—and certainly hadn’t approved of the two of them kissing. “Except you didn’t think we were kissing, did you?” he mumbled.


Chapter 42